Technology
British Columbia sues OpenAI over failure to report ChatGPT threats before mass shooting
The lawsuit alleges leadership overruled safety staff who recommended alerting police about the Tumbler Ridge shooter.
The short version
- British Columbia filed a federal lawsuit in San Francisco against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman following a fatal school shooting in Tumbler Ridge.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
- The lawsuit claims OpenAI's safety team flagged shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar's violent ChatGPT logs in June 2025, but executive leadership overruled reporting her to police.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
- The province is demanding financial compensation for recovery and emergency costs, alongside court-ordered reforms to OpenAI's threat-reporting policies.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
- OpenAI expressed sorrow over the tragedy while asserting its models refuse violent requests and that it notifies police when imminent harm is detected.[The Guardian]
Key facts
- British Columbia filed a lawsuit in San Francisco federal court against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over the Tumbler Ridge shooting.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
- The lawsuit alleges OpenAI safety members flagged shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar's conversations in June 2025 and recommended alerting police, but leadership overruled them.[The Guardian]
- After her initial account was deactivated, Van Rootselaar obtained a new account to continue planning the attack.[The Guardian]
- The province seeks financial damages for emergency response and mental health recovery, plus a court order reforming how OpenAI handles violent threats.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
- More than 30 other lawsuits have been filed in the same California court by victims' families and survivors.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Outlets report differing total fatality counts for the February 10, 2026 attack, ranging from eight to nine people.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Canada’s BC sues OpenAI over ChatGPT role in Tumbler Ridge school shootingAl Jazeera
- British Columbia sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over Tumbler Ridge mass school shootingThe Guardian - World
- British Columbia files a lawsuit against OpenAI over mass shootingBusiness Insider metered
- Canadian province sues OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge school shootingBBC News - Business
- OpenAI faces lawsuit from British Columbia over Tumbler Ridge shootingEngadget
- Lawsuit demands OpenAI pay for new school after ChatGPT used in shootingArs Technica